Archer Zero

On the field, Leo began to run. He realized his training would be more effective with Sophie than alone, and the next best thing to do was working on his stamina.

Jogging, sprinting, walking, repeat. Like that he trained for at least an hour.

After that he grew tired, lying on the edge and gasping for air.

He didn't notice how he was approached by a girl with tight leather armor and Dark green hair.

"Tired? I would be if I ran for such a long time."

She bowed over Leo, her head blocking the sun and her long hair tickling on his face.

"And you are?" asked he exhausted. He wiped her hair from his face, sat up and turned in her direction.

Her fine features caught his eye: the hawk eyes, a fair pointed nose, and lips which were highlighted with a bit of lipstick.

"Aren't you a new registered adventurer? I saw you back when I registered, two days ago."

He remembered, as she was a beautiful person and had good equipment.

'What does this girl want from me?'

"Name is Zero, and no, I'm not newly registered, but was there to rank up.

I took a mission to hunt some game for a family and kill some small creatures.

I heard as Guildmaster announced your rank up by chance, and wondered how you were able to.

After all that he does this personally is not normal."

'Ah right, I was so focused on training I forgot. I have to rank up.'

"Thanks, I have to rank up. I forgot." Leo stood up, walking towards the Guild.

The girl who named herself Zero followed, asking again:

"Hey, can you at least tell me your name if you don't say why? So much courtesy is necessary."

"Call me Caesar, and why are you following me?"

"Just curios" she said.

She tailed him until he got to the registration counter.

There he handed over his ID with the words:

"Guildmaster approved of my rank up, can I get it done here?"

"Yes, he already told us. Just a moment."

The guy behind the counter took the ID and changed the H to a G.

"Congratulation, and be careful on future missions." he simply said.

Leo left and took a table, Zero still as a shadow.

He sat down, saying:

"Want to sit down. Seems like you have something to chat about."

Zero grinned, taking place in front of him.

"So you guessed?"

"I could physically not guess it. What is so pressing?"

She leaned on the table, placing down a paper.

"You want to do this mission together?"

She wanted to hand it over to Leo, but he quickly rejected.

"Can you explain please, I can't read."

'At least hear her out, I can always refuse.'

She sat back down, rocking her chair backwards and forwards.

"Oh, I see. It's quite the easy job, just investigating the source of a bad harvest not far from here.

I know of your mission that requires your absence from morning to midday, and this one here can be done after that.

I would do that myself, but for safety reasons two are required for this job."

"Safety reasons?"

"You know, if we should run into some unexpected difficult situation, an ambush for example.

Together we can help each other.

What do you say?"

She finished, looking expectant into Leo's eyes.

He pondered.

'Am I ready for a outside mission already? I also don't know this girl at all.

But some real experience is also important, and this is a good opportunity.

But I need to get some info on her first.'

"Why should I go with you? You are total foreign to me."

"Why so careful. I need some money and also want to get to know you. Before asking why, it's 'cause of the Guildmaster, and I saw how you escorted that bruised up lady here."

Still not convinced, he thought about her statement:

'I really want to go out, seeing this world. But the risk...

I have to at least see if I can trust this person my back.'

"Can we have a little spar before deciding?" he asked.

"Wouldn't have it otherwise." She smiled.

"I use a bow, think you are able to cope with that?"

Leo used a shield, which gave him confidence.

"There is always a first time." he replied.

She led them back to the field, taking with her a bow on the in way out.

Leo took his shield in the left hand and readied a practice hammer from the guild, to not invite unnecessary injuries.

"Take it easy on me"

Leo replied somehow nervous:

"Same here, just don't shoot my head."

"I know where to shoot."

They stood there, holding their weapons.

"Remember, we only want to try the others combat ability a bit."

Leo reminded. Even if this spar was his idea, he was full of worry.

"Yes yes, let's start, shall we?"

Zero Took a blunt arrow from her quiver, nicking it in the string and span it.

The process took less than 2 seconds, and the arrow flew in a straight line towards Leo's head.

On reflex he used his shield, using it to block it.

"Hey, what about the head part we talked about? he shouted.

"Wanted to test your reflexes. Out there is no consideration."

She nicked another arrow, taking more time. Leo felt the energy flowing, as if it was absorbed.

He knew Zero used some energy , but not for what.

'She is using magic, but how? Faster arrow, or more knockback? Maybe enhancing her vision for aim.'

While he thought, she finished her preparations, losing his initiative to intercept her.

'Damn, too late.'

The arrow pierced the air, producing a dull sound while flying. This time, she aimed not for the head, but for his body.

Leo adjusted his shield, ready to receive the attack.

What he did not expect was the power behind the arrow when it hit his defense.

He lost nearly his balance, regaining it by stepping back a bit. His whole arm hurt, beginning to get numb.

'Should have reflected it instead of blocking' he realized.

"Hoh, not bad. That was enough energy to stop a boar charge. Are a sturdy one." she complimented.

"Thanks, but now it's my turn."

Leo charged towards her, using his shield as a ram. As it was predictable, Zero easily evaded.

He waited for that, stopping abrupt and direct his body towards her.

He swung his hammer, hitting her upper arm. She only changed her expression, not letting out a sound.

As the hammer was padded, she had no broken bones. But to visualize her supposed -to-be injury, she left her left arm hanging, taking out a sharp dagger.

Leo did not want her to regain a stable footing, so he pressured her by swinging his hammer, shielding himself against possible counters.

She dodged a lot of his swings, but here and there Leo hit, albeit nowhere serious.

Stumbling backwards, Zero evaded every attack that would render her inept to carry on.

Eventually she jumped backwards, kicking his shield and creating some distance.

"Enough to gain some confidence in me" She asked sweetly, lightly sweating.

'When thinking she should not be a front fighter, her abilities are very good. In addition she can use magic.'

Leo was satisfied, not only in her skills but also with himself.

He managed to pressure her, also withstanding her strong magic attack. But his arm got only more tired as they continued.

'I would not have lasted long,' he sadly noticed.

Leo nodded affirmative, complimenting:

"You got me good there at the beginning, another attack like that and I could not block it" he admitted.

"You also managed to keep me from gaining a stable position at the end. Have some practice with more agile opponents?"

She asked, not really expecting an answer.

"So, how is it? Tomorrow, after midday, we two and the mission?"

She balanced her dagger on her palm, rotating it and showing her dexterity.

'At some point I have to go out again, no use to remember that Carnirus.'

Leo also liked her appearance. Who wouldn't like to travel with a pretty woman.

"Deal. But are you okay with me not able to use magic?", he asked. She used some, so Leo was worried that she expected the same from him.

"Yes, after all you have enough strength to hold up against me, so some monsters are no match."

She left, waving her arm while turning.

"See you tomorrow, don't be late."

She left, leaving an exhausted Dwarf on the field.

He hid it, but he was tired. The constant swinging, keeping up his relatively heavy shield and constant concentration is taking its toll.

'Again, Stamina is the key to survival. Even this spar is so demanding. What about a battle that drags out over hours?'

Leo didn't stay around much longer. He drank some water from a nearby pump, the fresh water revitalizing him. Then, he began to run again.

Although this time, he jogged more, sometimes swinging his weapon or holding up his shield.

He did that for quite some time, the sun already being replaced by a moon.

Not noticing a person standing far away, watching him.

"How is he doing?" asked the person standing behind him.

"He is keeping up his training, changing it to fit him. No worry, Rob. I rarely misjudged a person."

The two left, leaving Leo alone, undisturbed.

After his training, Leo washed himself and his clothes in the bunker. Then he ate some bread from his supply, visited Mary a last time, who was awake now.

They talked a bit, mostly Leo making sure she was better and can be left alone. Mary just thanked him over and over, ensuring him that she will stay by a friend for some time.

Afterwards he walked in his room. To his surprise, on the simple desk in his room was a small bag. First thing he did was to make sure all his belongings were still in place. Thankfully, it was the same as when he left.

Interested, he opened the bag now. In it were some silver coins, together with a note.

He opened the note, wanting to read it.

'...'

With a sigh, he pocketed the note again. He forgot for a moment his inability to read even simple letters.

So he pondered. What could be the occasion someone would leave him money?

'Only ones are Sam, maybe Mary. Or Swift and Hound, as they got a bounty thanks to me leading me to the criminals.'

Knowing it had no use to think about it now, he stored the money with his leftovers. He slept that night with anticipation. After all, the next day would be a mission with another person, out of the village.

Leo woke up later, the last day tiring him a lot.

He went down again, eating a hearty breakfast. The unexpected income from last night filling his purse good, letting him cost his food somewhat.

Then he went out, buying some essentials, for example a pan, simple eating utensils, a sewing kit and a simple thick shirt.

Due to the sparring the last days Leo noticed his lack of armor, but the ones sold are very expensive or too inconvenient.

After seeing many walking around with metal embed clothing, he followed their example.

'This feels nice, a lot safer, and more handy than I thought.'

Satisfied, he made his way towards Mr. Sieg's house, ready to start his daily job to be Ms. Sophie's trainings partner.

The day till midday went by without any complications.

Leo got the hand of feeling the magic, moving on to feel the Energy inside him.

That proved to be a lot more difficult, as he felt his pulse, breathing and was constantly sensing something, but not the Energy.

After that, he fought against Sophie. Growing more accustomed to her attacks and patterns, the times he lost were reduced. But most of the time they ended in draws.

Sophie complimented him afterwards, saying that his improvements are astonishing, considering his loss of memories.

When he left the House after the fruitful job, he got even more excited.

'Now it's time for my very first out-of-village mission.'

His expectations were only slightly less intense than the nervous feeling he had.

He arrived by the Guild, packed up his things he deemed important, and was ready to depart.